Clay Fredley, a former specialist in the Army and Iraq War combat veteran, sits on a bench with Winston at the Humane Society of Lebanon County on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2017(Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Will Wendling, a United States Marine Corp sergeant suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, gets a kiss from Sugar a Pitt bull terrier at the Humane Society of Lebanon County on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2017.(Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Will Wendling, a United States Marine Corp sergeant suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, gets a kiss from Sugar a Pitt bull terrier at the Humane Society of Lebanon County on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2017.(Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Will Wendling, a United States Marine Corp sergeant suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, gets a kiss from Sugar a Pitt bull terrier at the Humane Society of Lebanon County on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2017.(Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Will Wendling, a United States Marine Corp sergeant suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, gets a kiss from Sugar a Pitt bull terrier at the Humane Society of Lebanon County on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2017.(Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Clay Fredley, a former specialist in the Army and Iraq War combat veteran, sits on a bench with Winston at the Humane Society of Lebanon County on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2017(Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

They are often looked down upon. Cast aside and sometimes thought of as being a burden on society.

But, the animals at the Humane Society of Lebanon County and some local veterans use that common ground to make a real connection, and both come out better for it.

"I almost feel how they feel sometimes. Trapped. Abandoned. Stuck by themselves," said former Army Spc. Clay Fredley. "And you get somewhat of that common bond with a dog."

Fredley, an Iraq War combat veteran who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and some substance abuse problems, is part of a special recreational therapy program.

For a few hours twice a week, he and several other veterans head to the humane society to hang out with the animals. And the result has been more than anyone could have hoped for.

"I didn’t expect to see a combat Marine sitting with a dog on a bench, crying. Because that dog touched them in a way we couldn't," said Amy Cook, a recreational therapy supervisor at the Lebanon VA Medical Center. "The dogs can reach a part we can't. I think that's where you see a huge difference."

Cook started the program with the humane society in April 2016, and said the focus of the program was to provide the veterans with an opportunity for volunteer experience and make a difference in the lives of the shelter animals – a program that can only be found at the Lebanon VA Medical Center, according to officials. She knew some good would come of the program, but not to the degree it has.

"People are constantly telling them that they made poor choices and then they come (to the humane society) and they leave having made a difference and knowing their life is worth something," Cook said. "That has been the most amazing part of the program."

Will Wendling, a former Marine sergeant, spends his time trying to keep a rambunctious Pitbull terrier named Sugar under control.

"It's been awesome," Wendling said as Sugar leaped up and licked him on the face. "These animals, they don't judge you. They don't care about your past. They just want to love you."

Wendling, who suffers from PTSD, said the hours he spends at the humane society each week are helpful.

"I've come out here on some days I wasn't feeling 100 percent," he said. "These guys bring something out of you. It's hard not to leave here feeling a refreshed sense of enthusiasm."

While most of the veterans fight over the dogs, there is one Navy veteran – Tony Pugliese – who has been deemed a cat whisperer.

Pugliese was sitting in a room persistently petting a cat that wanted nothing to do with him.

"That's how you get them," he said. "You just treat them like a cat."

And that's how Pugliese spends his time at the humane society, in a room for a couple hours just petting and talking to the shy and the unsocial cats.

"It's therapy for me and therapy for the cats," he said.

But it also works.

Will Wendling, a United States Marine Corp sergeant suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, gets a kiss from Sugar, a Pitt bull terrier at the Humane Society of Lebanon County on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2017.(Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Pugliese was working with a cat named Blue.

"Blue was unadoptable. When you would open up the cage (he hissed)," Pugliese explained.

That didn't stop Pugliese. He kept working with Blue.

When Pugliese went to the humane society the other day he found out Blue had been adopted.

"I missed Blue by an hour. I looked forward to coming to see Blue," Pugliese said. But was happy Blue found a good home. "It's a good feeling. Especially, Blue."

All the veterans agree that it is bittersweet moment when their favorite dog or cat gets adopted, but they are all happy for them.

"It's almost like a sense of accomplishment," Fredley said. "That dog was in a bad spot and he found a good home and it's good to see that."

That has been the other amazing thing to come out of this program. Not only are the veterans getting help with their issues, they are helping the animals become adoptable.

"For dogs and cats to get our of their cages and out of their kennels and kind of relax with a person for an extended period of time similar to a home situation. That makes such a drastic difference in their day and you can see the impact it has on the animals spirits," said Aspasia Yeager, director of operations at the humane society. "They just ultimately provide the love and attention these animals need in a time where they are in limbo waiting for their forever home."

The veterans haven't just helped with the animals. They helped with the humane society's parade float and Trails to Tails 5K walk.

"So, not only are they coming here (to the humane society), but now they are part of the community," Cook said. "They are connected to the community and for them that means a lot. That people look at them now, not as addicts or the low people, but as volunteers and participants and they can give back to the community."

Right now, Fredley spends most of his days at the humane society running around with Winston, a male terrier mix.

"My dogs are a big part of my life (he has four of them), Fredley said. "I can honestly say when I first came back from Iraq that it was my dogs that saved me from myself. And there is nothing better than coming here and having the constant love from these dogs just to cuddle, run with or talk to."